Diabetes decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his Vietnam-era service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his bilateral foot disability, as well as his claims for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye disability, and bilateral hand disability. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for a sleep-related disability or an increased rating higher than 50 percent for his bilateral foot disability. His claims for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye disability, and bilateral hand disability are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, costochondritis, and diabetes mellitus type II as secondary to Service-Connected Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).,Service connection was granted for right wrist and left wrist disabilities (CTS) as secondary to SPS.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal via a Statement in Support of Claim received in June 2020.

The Veteran's skin disability and diabetes mellitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. The Veteran contends he was exposed to Agent Orange while repairing and repainting radar systems used in Vietnam.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing chronic symptoms in service or within one year after separation from service.,The appeals for left hand numbness, right hand numbness, and erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II are being remanded as the RO has not yet adjudicated these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach condition, heart disability (including angina pectoris and coronary artery disease), diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, and BLE disorder have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the stomach condition claim, and that there is no evidence of chronic symptoms or continuous since service separation for the other conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of prostate cancer and that his diagnosed conditions were more likely due to herbicide exposure during his time in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claim for service connection for hypertension is also remanded due to a need for additional development regarding its relationship to herbicide exposure and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, based on exposure to herbicide agents during service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for body cramps, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and Parkinson's disease due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being returned for further development as requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection for the cause of his death. The Appellant contends that her husband’s death, listed as septic shock with underlying causes including alcohol-related cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus, is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) is remanded due to the need for a comprehensive eye examination. The matter will be reconsidered in light of whether he is entitled to SMC under other provisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, insomnia, depression, abdominal pain, anxiety, peripheral vascular disease of the left upper extremity, thoracic spine disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stomach condition, peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, peripheral vascular disease of the right upper extremity, and rash for further development. The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for any complaints or findings related to these conditions. However, he contends that his disabilities were incurred during active duty due to various factors including a motor vehicle accident in 1975.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus as the Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agents in Puerto Rico during his active duty.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus type 2, ischemic heart disease, gum disease, gout, and high blood pressure as they are all considered to be moot due to the appellant's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed diabetes mellitus, type II, is caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disabilities and medications.